HUNGRY folk looking for the nicest places to eat in Shepway will be able to consult a new ratings system from next month.

The information will be displayed online and has been created to tell people where the best eateries are in Shepway, based on marks for hygiene in the kitchen.

Created by the Food Standards Agency, any business which sells food will be given a rating from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to five (very good).

Inspectors have already been to visit some premises in the area ahead of its launch on April 1.

Among those visited was the Coach and Horse in Lyminge, which was given a five rating.

Alicja Antoniak, 26 and originally from Poland, took charge of the pub about a year ago with partner Kevin Giles, who died shortly afterwards.

She said: "I was delighted when I was told the news.

"We have seven members of staff here in total and we've tried to make it a nice place to come and have a drink and a bite to eat.

"We've been open for a while now and it almost feels like we're part of the village at last.

"I'd like to pay testament to Kevin, who was also part of this journey."

A spokesman from Shepway District Council said: "We hope that cafés, pubs, restaurants and shops which prepare and sell food will recognise displaying a good hygiene rating is good for business.

"When customers expect to see a rating, there is a real incentive for food businesses to seek to make improvements to their hygiene standards.

"So far there are more than 120 food businesses across Shepway with a top rating – ranging from public houses like the Coach and Horses through to cafes and the multi-national McDonald's restaurant at Park Farm."

Businesses will be given a sticker and certificate to display and ratings will be able to be viewed from 1 April on the FSA website at food.gov.uk/ratings